Bear Polar Recurve Bow Serial Numbers
Recently on an out of town trip we stopped by an old store like we ordinarily do and saw this recurve bow in the corner. Since we were already somewhat well-known with how well bows have sold from selling them for a client we naturally gravitated to it. It looked to be in perfect condition and came with a quiver and 3 dissimilar sets of arrows. The asking price was 0.00 and we finally got all of it for.00. Draw RangerBased on the dating procedures listed below we determined that this was a Fred Bear Kodiak Recurve bow from 1965 in perfect condition.
It was a 60' bow with a 44# pull. How To Date Your Fred Bear BowAfter we got the bow to our store we noticed that inside the big quiver was a smaller particular quiver. Based on a light embossed marking on this smaller, leather quiver that we pulled out we were able to date it to the late 1940's.We decided to break this up into 3 dissimilar auctions and started all three at.99.
The results of the auctions are listed at the end of this article.-Dating Your Fred Bear BowThere are some features and changes that were made to the bear bows over the years that will help narrow the age of your bow or your potential investment.1. The Serial Number: These bows ordinarily have, what appears to be a hand inscription on one of the limbs that gives a serial amount along with the distance and pull weight of the bow. This serial amount works very well for dating Bear Bows from 1965-1969 when the first digit of the serial amount is the year of manufacture.For example, a serial amount of 5L212 would be a 1965 Bow.Prior to 1965, the serial numbers for all Bear bows were started over every month, manufacture these bows approximately impossible to date by serial amount alone. The 'K' series of serial numbers (for example Kz9672) were started in 1970.2. Patent Mark: Most of the Bear Bows we have sold have the logo and the Us Patents printed on it along with the date of Canada 1953.
This date that is printed on all bows made in the middle of 1953 and 1972 is naturally the date of the patent for a working recurve limb and has nothing to do with the actual model year.3. Decals & Silkscreening: In 1948 the small Running Bear decal was first and then was substituted by the large Standing Bear decal in mid-1953. The large Standing Bear decal also has the words 'Glass Powered Bow' under the Standing Bear.The large Standing Bear decal was used until 1955 when it was substituted with silk-screening the identification on the bows. By 1956 the silk-screening appeared on all bows.4. All Wood vs Laminate: If your bow is All wood (no laminations of any kind) then your bow had to be made before the mass productions starting in 1949. If the All wood bow has a stamp that reads 'Bear Products' in some form it would have been made before the early to mid 40's. If it is stamped 'Bear Archery' it would have been made After the early-mid 40's and Before 1949.
Also wooden bows with a small 'Running Bear' decal can be dated to 19485. The Leather Grip: All Bear bows had leather grips until 1959.
In 1959, the Kodiak special removed the leather grip and in 1961 the Kodiak did the same, as well as the Grizzly in 1964.6. The Coin Medallion: starting in 1959 all Bear bows had a coin medallion of one type of metal or another. Below are the approx date ranges for the type of coin used.Copper Coin - 1959Aluminum - 1960-1961Pewter - 1962Brass - 1963 - 1970Nickel-Silver - 1971-1972All coins were flush with the wood until 1972. In late 1972 the coin was raised above the covering of the bow and came in both gold and chrome covered plastic and are still used in Bear bows today.7. Maker Location: in 1978 Bear moved all manufacturing and offices to Gainesville, Florida. If your bow shows Gainesville on it then it was made after 19788.
Bear Archery Medallion
Bear Polar Recurve Bow Serial Numbers List
1990 Bear Compound Bow Models
Model Of The Bow: Check the Model of the bow.